Bangladesh's Hindus mull cancelling Durga Puja amid security concerns

DHAKA: Though Bangladesh's govt has decided to take extra security measures ahead of Durga Puja , there is still doubt whether the Bengali-speaking Hindu community will be able to celebrate its biggest festival this year amid concerns about security. Hindu community leaders have voiced their concerns, and some are considering cancelling festivities this time. There were some videos on social media against Durga Puja, though those videos could not be independently verified.

Several temples in Dakop, Khulna, reportedly received anonymous letters threatening to not allow them to celebrate Duga Puja unless they each paid 5 lakh takas as "tax". "Daily Star" quoted Shekhar Chandra Goldar, president of Kamarkhola Sarvajanin Durga Puja Celebration Committee of Dakop, as saying, "Our members are no longer interested. This year we have to stop the puja."

The letters, delivered to leaders of various puja celebration committees, also said failure to comply would result in severe consequences. On Friday, representatives of four temples filed a general diary at Dakop police station. "We are investigating the matter... We are patrolling regularly along with the army team," the "Daily Star" quoted officer-in-charge Sirajul Islam as saying.